Weed-e-bug

Abstract

An apparatus and method deliver fluid treatments to a targeted plant. The apparatus comprises a two-piece protective shell joined on one side by a spring-hinge. When the two piece outer protective shell is open, a fluid treatment is applied to a liquid retaining material within the protective shell. A portion of a targeted plant is placed within the open outer protective shell. The two piece outer protective shell is then closed, creating a sealed containment environment that is immediately protected from environmental disturbance, prevents distribution of fluid treatment to non-treated plant materials, and will retain, store, and prevent leakage of the fluid treatment. The closed outer protective shell also clasps the plant portion, forcing contact of the target plant portion with fluid treatment residing on and within the liquid retaining material. The apparatus remains attached to the targeted plant while the fluid treatment is absorbed through systemic plant processes.

Claims

1. A plant surface contact material applicator, comprising: a first outer protective shell and a second outer protective shell; wherein said first outer protective shell and said second outer protective shell are impermeable; wherein said first outer protective shell has a base and a side wall rising from said base that terminates distally to said base at a rim defining an interior space; a liquid retaining sponge having a first surface adjacent to said base and in said interior space of said first outer protective shell, a plant treatment liquid applicator surface configured to apply a plant treatment liquid to an immediately adjacent targeted plant portion, said plant treatment liquid applicator surface displaced distally from said first surface; a fluid impermeable foam circumscribing said plant treatment applicator, said fluid impermeable foam, said us portion defines an annular band adjacent to said rim and encompassing said liquid retaining sponge; said liquid impermeable foam extending from said base to said liquid applicator surface; wherein said liquid retaining sponge and said fluid impermeable foam each protrude from said first outer protective shell; wherein in combination said liquid retaining sponge and said fluid impermeable foam occupy the entirety of said first outer protective shell interior space; a hinge continuously coupled between said first outer protective shell and said second outer protective shell; a clasp; wherein when the clasp is in an open position said plant treatment liquid applicator surface is exposed and when the clasp is in a closed position said first outer protective shell and said second outer protective shell are retained in a sealed configuration preventing leakage of said plant treatment liquid from within the applicator, thereby isolating application of said plant treatment liquid solely to said targeted plant portion, while simultaneously preserving at least one vein within the targeted plant intact that may transport said plant treatment liquid from said portion of said targeted plant into another portion of said targeted plant; and wherein during treatment of said portion of said targeted plant said applicator remains in a closed clasped position on said targeted plant with said targeted plant portion compressed within said first outer protective shell and said second outer protective shell.

2. The plant surface contact material applicator of claim 1, said rim having a sinuate geometry and said second outer protective shell further comprises a rim having a sinuate geometry complementary to said first outer protective shell sinuate rim geometry.

3. The plant surface contact material applicator of claim 1, wherein said hinge is a spring hinge.

4. The plant surface contact material applicator of claim 1, further comprising a second liquid retaining sponge securely coupled within and partially protruding from said second outer protective shell.

5. The plant surface contact material applicator of claim 4, wherein said second outer protective shell terminates at a rim, further comprising a second fluid impermeable foam adjacent to said second outer protective shell rim and encompassing said second liquid retaining sponge.

6. The plant surface contact material applicator of claim 1, wherein said liquid retaining sponge first surface is securely affixed to said base of said first outer protective shell inner surface.

7. The plant surface contact material applicator of claim 1, wherein said fluid impermeable foam is securely affixed to said first outer protective shell side wall inner surface.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The foregoing and other objects, advantages, and novel features of the present invention can be understood and appreciated by reference to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment fluid applicator designed in accord with the teachings of the present invention from a top plan view.

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates the preferred embodiment fluid applicator of FIG. 1 taken from a sectional vie along section line 2 of FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 3 illustrates the preferred embodiment fluid applicator of FIG. 1 from a bottom plan view.

(5) FIG. 4 illustrates the preferred embodiment fluid applicator of FIG. 1 in further combination with a weed, both immediately adjacent to a cultivated plant, from a side elevational view.

(6) FIG. 5 illustrates the combination preferred embodiment fluid applicator, weed, and cultivated plant of FIG. 4 from an enlarged side elevational view.

(7) FIG. 6 illustrates the combination preferred embodiment fluid applicator and weed leaf of FIG. 5 from a sectional view taken along section line 6 in FIG. 5.

(8) FIG. 7 illustrates a combination preferred embodiment fluid applicator and weed leaf similar to that of FIG. 6, just prior to clasping the fluid applicator about the weed leaf, from an enlarged sectional view.

(9) FIG. 8 illustrates a first alternative embodiment fluid applicator designed in accord with the teachings of the present invention from a sectional view similar to section line 2 of FIG. 1, to directly contrast the differences of this first alternative embodiment to FIG. 2.

(10) FIG. 9 illustrates the combination first alternative embodiment fluid applicator and weed leaf similar to that of FIG. 6 but from an enlarged sectional view.

(11) FIG. 10 illustrates the combination first alternative embodiment fluid applicator and weed leaf similar to that of FIG. 7, just prior to clasping the fluid applicator about the weed leaf, from an enlarged sectional view also similar to that of FIG. 7.

(12) FIG. 11 illustrates a second alternative embodiment fluid applicator designed in accord with the teachings of the present invention in combination with and just prior to clasping the fluid applicator about a weed leaf from a sectional view similar to that of FIG. 10, to directly contrast the differences of this second alternative embodiment to FIG. 10.

(13) FIG. 12 illustrates a third alternative embodiment fluid applicator designed in accord with the teachings of the present invention in combination with and just prior to clasping the fluid applicator about a weed leaf from a sectional view similar to that of FIG. 10, to directly contrast the differences of this third alternative embodiment to FIG. 10.

(14) FIG. 13 illustrates in combination a fourth alternative embodiment fluid applicator designed in accord with the teachings of the present invention from a sectional view similar to that of FIG. 6, to directly contrast the differences of this fourth alternative embodiment to FIG. 6.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(15) Manifested in the preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a quick and simple to use, reusable, environmentally isolated liquid applicator that can apply a treatment liquid for an extended duration to a weed, in an aesthetically pleasing manner. As illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, preferred embodiment fluid applicator 11 generally comprises two outer protective shells 12, 13, joined on one side by a hinge 14. When the two outer protective shells 12, 13 are closed such as illustrated in these Figures, by pivoting one with respect to the other about hinge 14, on an interior they define a sealed containment environment 16. To secure preferred embodiment fluid applicator 11 in a closed position, and thereby isolate sealed containment environment 16 from the external environment, a clasp 15 is provided. The inside of both outer protective shells 12, 13 contain liquid retaining materials 17, 18, respectively.

(16) Outer protective shells 12, 13 may be of numerous geometries and appearances, while maintaining the same function. For aesthetic and marketing reasons, the preferred embodiment will be familiar and popular garden representations of insects, mammals, birds and reptiles. In preferred embodiment fluid applicator 11, a lady bug representation 19 has been illustrated in FIG. 1 for exemplary purposes. Noteworthy here is that a lady bug has a domed generally disk shaped body, as does preferred embodiment fluid applicator 11. In the case of other representations, this disk shape may be maintained with different representations printed or formed thereon, or in further alternative embodiments contemplated herein, other geometries resembling the exterior geometries of the living creatures may also be adopted.

(17) The function of outer protective shells 12, 13 is to isolate sealed containment environment 16 from the external environment, as noted herein above. In essence these outer protective shells 12, 13 could in their simplest form be thought of as impermeable membranes. However, in order to accomplish this objective of isolation that can withstand environmental variations and animals such as pets and wildlife, then there are several additional opposing considerations in the design of these shells that must be accounted for. One of these is the need for a sufficiently rigid outer protective shell that a small animal or child chewing on the shell will not likely break or puncture the outer shell. Consequently, a relatively strong and less frangible material is preferable. In consideration thereof, ordinary plastic films that are only one or a few millimeters in thickness are inadequate. Outer protective shells 12, 13 are preferably configured to withstand ordinary chewing by children and wildlife without failure. Furthermore, outer protective shells 12, 13 also ensure that the operation of preferred embodiment fluid applicator 11 is unaffected by contamination by grass clippings or foreign objects, or by mechanical environmental disturbance such as foot traffic. Conversely, outer protective shells 12, 13 also ensure that immediately and throughout the treatment period non-treated areas are protected from coming in contact with the treatment liquid.

(18) However, there will also be temperature changes, such as those between day and night and the like, and a totally rigid outer shell and tight seals would lead to excessive pressure changes within sealed containment environment 16 compared to the outside barometric pressure. In other words, with a totally rigid outer shell and impervious seals, then even relatively small temperature deviations from when a fluid applicator was closed would lead to major pressure differentials between the inside and outside of preferred embodiment fluid applicator 11. When the temperature rises, this would lead to a pressure increase inside sealed containment environment. Such pressure increases could damage any seals between outer protective shells 12, 13, or could alternatively lead to undesirable expulsion of treatment liquid. When the temperature drops, a vacuum could develop within sealed containment environment 16, which could lead to an undesirable failure or collapse of outer protective shells. Since these extreme pressures are only developed if outer protective shells 12, 13 are totally rigid, even a small or moderate amount of flexibility will allow outer protective shells 12, 13 to change shape enough to allow preferred embodiment fluid applicator to expand and contract, and thereby change volume sufficiently to accommodate temperature changes without significantly changing the internal pressure within sealed containment environment 16.

(19) Outer protective shells 12, 13 may be fabricated from many different suitable materials, but in the preferred embodiment are preferably fabricated from molded plastic. Outer protective shells 12, 13 will preferably be configured to have a combination of chemical resistance to all intended treatment liquids, suitability for a suitable molding or manufacturing process, and sufficient strength and durability to withstand inquisitive small children, pets, and wildlife. Plastics as a group are generally resilient enough to also accommodate the necessary expansion and contraction to avoid significant pressure changes within sealed containment environment 16. Exemplary materials that meet the remaining requirements include the variety of polyethylenes, including especially Ultra-High Molecular Weight (UHMW) polyethylene and High Density polyethylene (HDPE). Low Density polyethylene (LDPE) and polypropylene (PP) may also be suitable. Each of these materials will preferably be treated or compounded with suitable ultraviolet inhibitors and other additives suitable or desirable for the present application as known by those skilled in compounding and chemistry of plastics. Each of these materials have excellent chemical resistance, and are readily available, of low cost, and are readily fabricated into specific geometries. Nevertheless, there are a myriad of other plastic compositions that would also be suitable. Other materials that may find application, for exemplary purposes only and not solely limiting the present invention thereto, include: nylon; Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS); other various co-polymers and engineered plastics; and various natural and synthetic relatively higher durometer rubbers including Thermo-Plastic Elastomers (TPE).

(20) Hinge 14 may be of any suitable construction, but will preferably have a spring characteristic that will tend to open outer protective shells 12, 13 to expose liquid retaining materials 17, 18. This resilience is desirable to enable a person to open clasp 15, and in turn have hinge 14 open the outer protective shells 12, 13. With hinge 14 operative to spread outer protective shells 12, 13 apart, the person may then readily apply the desired treatment liquid directly to liquid retaining materials 17, 18. When outer protective shells 12, 13, are fabricated from a material that is intrinsically quite resilient, such as polypropylene, nylon, ABS, and TPE, the hinge may be of a simple construct known as a living hinge. A living hinge is fabricated from the same material as the outer protective shells 12, 13, but due to geometry is relatively more flexible than the outer protective shells. This geometrical difference may be simply providing a thinner or narrower section of material for the living hinge region, or the hinge region may be flat while the outer protective shells 12, 13 are domed. Alternatively, where outer protective shells 12, 13 are fabricated from a less resilient material, a separate spring mechanism may be provided. In preferred embodiment fluid applicator 11, the hinge may further comprise a stable point when outer protective shells 12, 13 are spread open to provide hands-free access to liquid retaining materials 17, 18, and to also provide a closing force when in the closed position of FIG. 2. Hinge 14 is illustrated as a simple pinned hinge, wherein a portion of outer protective shell 12 in the hinge region presses against a sidewall or lip of outer protective shell 13 when rotated, causing the resilience of outer protective shell 13 to act as the spring force, and yet allowing this hinge region to snap past the sidewall or lip of outer protective shell 13 and be stable in the open position. Again, any of the myriad of known hinges may be provided and incorporated herein.

(21) Clasp 15 may likewise take on any suitable construction, and can comprise any suitable mechanical analog, including such devices as hasps, latches, catches, hooks, fasteners, buckles, snaps, clamps, and so forth. In preferred embodiment fluid applicator 11, a geometry that may be readily formed during the molding or other formation of outer protective shells 12, 13 is most preferred, in reducing the cost of fabrication and assembly. However, a designer must weight this against the liquids which are intended to be applied, and the relative difficulty of opening preferred embodiment fluid applicator 11, which will serve as a protective barrier to entry and access to those liquids. For liquids which are relatively safe for consumption, a simpler clasp 15 as illustrated in the Figures may be used, with the understanding that some children and some pets and wildlife may potentially open preferred embodiment fluid applicator 11. However, if a particularly dangerous or toxic material is to be applied, a much more secure child-proof and wildlife-proof fastener may then be desired or required.

(22) Liquid retaining materials 17, 18 are preferably fabricated from an absorbent material such as woven fabric or sponge. Most preferably, these liquid retaining materials 17, 18 are also capable of receiving and holding a sufficient amount of treatment liquid to adequately treat a plant for an extended duration. Liquid retaining materials 17, 18 may be fabricated as individual pads, and preferably the pads are then adhesively bonded or otherwise affixed or secured to their respective outer protective shells 12, 13.

(23) For applying a liquid chemical or solution, clasp 15 is released, and hinge 14 spreads outer protective shells 12, 13 apart, thereby exposing liquid retaining materials 17, 18. A treatment liquid may then be applied to liquid retaining materials 17, 18, for exemplary purposes only and not limiting the present invention solely thereto, by use of a small squeeze bottle containing the liquid treatment composition. In an alternative embodiment, liquid retaining materials 17, 18 may be pre-applied at the factory, allowing a person to skip this step of application of a treatment liquid. As may be apparent, preferred embodiment fluid applicator 11 can be stored and handled in the closed position illustrated in FIG. 2, with an internal supply of liquid treatment chemicals and without danger of accidental contact or release of the chemicals. As long as outer protective shells 12, 13 are fabricated from reasonably durable materials as described herein above, preferred embodiment fluid applicator 11 may also be re-filled and re-used as desired.

(24) Preferred embodiment fluid applicator 11 is preferably designed for and so may be used for applying many different fluid treatments, such as herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizers, to plants. However, many of the features of the present invention are optimized for the application of herbicides to individually targeted weeds, which heretofore has been a challenging task. Once a treatment liquid is applied, such as by dispensing from the small squeeze bottle, the liquid is preferably absorbed into liquid retaining materials 17, 18.

(25) A portion of a plant to be treated is placed between outer protective shells 12, 13 such as illustrated in FIG. 7, and the two shells are closed together to engage clasp 15 such as illustrated in FIG. 6. If the treatment liquid is sufficiently absorbed into liquid retaining materials 17, 18, then there will be no splashing or spilling of the treatment liquid during closing. When closed, preferred embodiment fluid applicator 11 will retain treatment liquids therein and prevent leakage of such treatment liquids out of sealed containment environment 16. Most preferably, and enabled by the combination of opposed hinge 14 and clasp 15, preferred embodiment fluid applicator 11 does not have to puncture weed 2, and instead may simply span a leaf or portion thereof such as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. This makes installation easier, and also avoids damaging a vital vein that may transport the treatment liquid into the plant. As may be apparent, preferred embodiment fluid applicator 11 is extremely quick to apply and simple to use, and may be applied to a plant in high winds and shortly before, after, or during periods of natural precipitation such as rain or precipitation caused by irrigation systems. Furthermore, since there is no unidirectional force applied to the targeted plant such as weed 2 during installation, and instead all of the application force is applied squeezing outer protective shells 12, 13 together, this geometry applies substantial positive pressure to a small, pliable plant without bending or displacing the plant substantially, thereby avoiding possible contact with other adjacent plants during application.

(26) While only a single preferred embodiment fluid applicator 11 is illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, it will be appreciated that any number of such applicators 11 may be applied to apply a treatment liquid to a plant. Furthermore, owing to the ease of clasping preferred embodiment fluid applicator 11 onto a plant leaf, both the quantity and the placement of applicators 11 may be precisely chosen.

(27) While a reasonable seal between preferred embodiment fluid applicator 11 and the plant matter is desired, preferred embodiment fluid applicator 11 will most preferably not close so tightly or with so sharp a border as to severe the plant matter. For the treatment to be effective, the treatment liquid must be absorbed through the leaf or other plant portion into the veins, and a severed portion will not allow systemic absorption. Preferred embodiment fluid applicator 11 will preferably remain in place while the plant material absorbs the fluid treatment. This is illustrated in exemplary form in FIGS. 4 and 5, which show preferred embodiment fluid applicator 11 clasping weed 2 in a location immediately adjacent to cultivated plant 1, while isolating treatment liquid within sealed containment environment 16 to contact and be absorbed only by weed 2.

(28) One way of ensuring a good seal without undue force on the plant matter is to provide a gentle pressure, which may then be a part of the design constraints for outer protective shells 12, 13, hinge 14, and clasp 15. A gently contoured rim on the tops of the outer protective shell 12, 13 sidewalls may for exemplary and non-limiting purposes provide sufficient seal or isolation. Alternatively, this contoured rim might further be combined with a gap between liquid retaining materials and this rim. In yet a further alternative embodiment, a soft and non-porous gasket might be provided at the tops of outer protective shell 12, 13 sidewalls.

(29) In yet another alternative, if one or both of liquid retaining materials 17, 18 are configured to slightly protrude from their associated outer protective shells 12, 13 such as illustrated in FIG. 7, then the inherent compressibility associated with sponges, woven or non-woven fabric, and many other liquid retaining materials will allow these liquid retaining materials 17, 18 to alternatively serve as a reasonable seal around the periphery of the junction between outer protective shells 12, 13. Consequently, in preferred embodiment fluid applicator 11, sealed containment environment 16 is preferably formed by some combination of the closure geometry and features of outer protective shells 12, 13, and the presence of liquid retaining materials 17, 18.

(30) The slight protrusion of both of these liquid retaining materials 17, 18 from their associated outer protective shells 12, 13 such as illustrated in FIG. 7, which may assist with proper closure and sealing, may also help to ensure that both liquid retaining materials 17, 18 will be gently pressed against weed leaf 2 upon closing into the position illustrated by FIG. 6. This will ensure firm contact between weed 2 and liquid retaining materials 17, 18, thereby also ensuring good transfer of a treatment liquid into weed leaf 2.

(31) Several embodiments of apparatus designed in accord with the present invention have been illustrated in the various figures. The embodiments are distinguished by the tens digit, and various components within each embodiment designated by the ones digit. However, many of the components are alike or similar between embodiments, so numbering of the ones digit has been maintained wherever possible, such that identical, like or similar functions may more readily be identified between the embodiments. If not otherwise expressed, those skilled in the art will readily recognize the similarities and understand that in many cases like numbered ones digit components may be substituted from one embodiment to another in accord with the present teachings, except where such substitution would otherwise destroy operation of the embodiment. Consequently, those skilled in the art will readily determine the function and operation of many of the components illustrated herein without unnecessary additional description.

(32) First alternative embodiment fluid applicator 21 is illustrated in FIG. 8, in a closed, sectional view very much resembling that of FIG. 2. However, and as is apparent from a comparison of FIGS. 2 and 8, this first alternative embodiment fluid applicator 21 has only a single liquid retaining material 28 nested into outer protective shell 23, and protruding upward slightly therefrom into an interior of outer protective shell 22. This combination of outer protective shells 22, 23 form a sealed containment environment 26, when clasp 25 is closed such as illustrated in FIG. 8.

(33) FIG. 9 illustrates the combination of this first alternative embodiment fluid applicator 21 and a weed leaf 2 similar to that of the preferred embodiment of FIG. 6, but from an enlarged sectional view. Likewise, FIG. 10 illustrates the combination first alternative embodiment fluid applicator 21 and weed leaf 2, just prior to clasping the fluid applicator about the weed leaf similar to that of FIG. 7, from an enlarged sectional view also similar to that of FIG. 7. As may be apparent from these Figures, in this first alternative embodiment fluid applicator 21, weed leaf 2 will be gently pressed upward by liquid retaining material 28, and will in most instances both weed leaf 2 and liquid retaining material 28 will deform slightly under the intrinsic pressure of liquid retaining material 28 pressing into adjacent outer protective shell 22 beyond the junction between two outer protective shells 22, 23. This will also ensure firm contact between weed 2 and liquid retaining material 28.

(34) As noted herein above with reference to the preferred embodiment fluid applicator 11, there are several alternative ways to ensure a good seal between the outer protective shells without undue force on the plant matter. One of these is illustrated in FIG. 11, where second alternative embodiment fluid applicator 31 is provided with a pair of annular bands 37a, 38a of relatively soft and compressible but fluid impermeable material adjacent to and surrounding the adjacent liquid retaining materials 37, 38, respectively. Annular bands 37a, 38a may, for exemplary but non-limiting purposes, comprise: a closed cell foam; the exterior skin formed within a self-skinning foam; a very low durometer impervious rubber; a waterproof and breathable material that resists the passage of water and other fluids while allowing gases to pass through; and known alternatives or equivalents thereto.

(35) A second alternative way to ensure a good seal between the outer protective shells without undue force on the plant matter is illustrated in FIG. 12, where second alternative embodiment fluid applicator 41 is provided with a pair of gently contoured rims 42a, 43a on the tops of the outer protective shell 42, 43 sidewalls which may for exemplary and non-limiting purposes provide sufficient seal or isolation. Alternatively, this contoured rim might further be combined with a gap between liquid retaining materials and this rim. In yet a further alternative embodiment, a soft and non-porous gasket might be provided as a part of or in addition to gently contoured rims 42a, 43a at the tops of outer protective shell 42, 43 sidewalls.

(36) In yet another alternative, if one or both of liquid retaining materials 17, 18 are configured to slightly protrude from their associated outer protective shells 12, 13 such as illustrated in FIG. 7, then the inherent compressibility associated with sponges, woven or non-woven fabric, and many other liquid retaining materials will allow these liquid retaining materials 17, 18 to alternatively serve as a reasonable seal around the periphery of the junction between outer protective shells 12, 13. Consequently, in preferred embodiment fluid applicator 11, sealed containment environment 16 is preferably formed by some combination of the closure geometry and features of outer protective shells 12, 13, and the presence of liquid retaining materials 17, 18.

(37) Hinge 14 and clasp 15 in preferred embodiment fluid applicator 11 work cooperatively together to couple outer protective shells 12, 13. While a hinge 14 is most preferred, as hinge 14 greatly simplifies the handling and installation of preferred embodiment fluid applicator 11, it will be understood that in a fourth alternative embodiment fluid applicator 51 illustrated in FIG. 13, outer protective shells 52, 53 may be disconnected entirely from each other prior to application to a targeted plant or weed 2, and that at least a second clasp 55 may be provided, for exemplary and non-limiting purpose in the location of and instead of hinge 14. In such case, both of the two clasps 55 work cooperatively together to couple the two outer protective shells 52, 53. Outer protective shells 52, 53 must be manually aligned, and then snapped together about the leaf of a targeted plant such as weed 2 to engage both clasps 55.

(38) As can be appreciated in light of the foregoing disclosure, a preferred or alternative embodiment of the invention may provide a fluid applicator which is of a durable and reliable construction susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public. In view of the intuitive geometry and operation, a preferred or alternative embodiment of the invention also may be easily and efficiently marketed, thereby making such fluid applicator economically available to the buying public.

(39) While the foregoing details what is felt to be the preferred and alternative embodiments of the invention illustrative of the principles of the invention, no material limitations to the scope of the claimed invention are intended. Further, features and design alternatives that would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art are considered to be incorporated herein. The scope of the invention is set forth and particularly described in the claims herein below.